AS introductions go, June has been a big month for brand-new indie pop outfit Indigo Youth.

The Furness five-piece have been working on material behind the scenes since the turn of the year, but announced their arrival in style this month with a debut single, their first-ever gig, and a storming festival appearance.

Although they're a young band, there's a wealth of experience, with members counting the likes of When All Else Fails, Sweet Design, Red Shift and Our Day Remains among their various past and present projects. However, Indigo Youth represents a massive step into the unknown, drawing heavily from synth-driven 80s pop, for a light, euphoric, and altogether upbeat sound.

Synth player Matt Payne says: "Although we've all been in different bands, I think it's fair to say that we are all open-minded musically.

"Our musical tastes and influences range from Fleetwood Mac, to Metallica to Nile Rogers to Prince to Bowie to The 1975.


"I think the main challenge for an indie pop band is not trying to be too much like all the current, big bands - The 1975, Clean Cut Kid, Fickle Friends, and so on. But we've all said that although these bands inspire us, we really want to define our own sound, and I think we're achieving that."

Matt formed the band with his guitarist friend Eshi Musaji after the pair jammed together, knowing from the outset that they wanted to do something different to anything else currently on the local scene.

A few line-up changes eventually moulded into a settled five, with Lorna McCarthy coming on on vocals, Kane Carson on bass and Mike Bryant on drums. And quickly a set-list came together.

"We've been writing and learning a set since around February, and it's taken a good three months, but that's included writing our own material and recording our debut single," says Matt.

"The material has gone down really well, and our single, So Good, has had awesome feedback.

"The first thing that anyone ever says to us is "I've not heard anything like you guys in the area before", which is such a big compliment."

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So Good, which was recorded in Eshi's bedroom, displays everything Indigo Youth is about - it's a feel-good anthem, with slick production, and oozing with melody.

It was the best first impression they could have made, and arrived days before they entered the live arena for the first time - a Live At Your Local battle-of-the-bands-style competition at The Strawberry, in Barrow. Competing with established acts Fight For Friday and The Twitchers, they came out on top to land a place in next week's regional final, meaning they are one step closer to the national final at The O2 London, in front of a 2,000-capacity crowd.


Then there was their appearance at Ulverston's Another Fine Fest, which could hardly have gone better.

Matt is refusing to get ahead of himself, but it's hard not to be delighted with the start they have made.

"There's nothing more humbling than a crowd appreciating music that you've written," says Matt.

"Another Fine Fest was insane; the weather was beautiful, the streets were packed and the vibe was really warm and welcoming. We played to a packed-out Piel Castle and the crowed were amazing, they danced and sang along to our music and shouted for an encore!

"Another win in the competition would be great, and it would also mean being able to play in he national finals, which would be awesome.

"Short-term we want to get some more material done - it would be great to play an hour-long set of all our own music.

"We're also gonna get back in the studio soon to work on our second single. We're really excited about it, the vibe is completely different to So Good and I think people will really like it.

"We aren't setting any limitations, and I believe that if you don't think you can go all the way, there's no point.

"We want to make music that appeals to everyone and we wanna go all the way."

Indigo Youth play in the regional finals of Live At Your Local on Thursday June 29, at The Strawberry, in Barrow. Music starts around 8.30pm, and entrance is free.